Composite fixture unit



Feb. 19, 1957 s. A. YOUNG 2,781,786

COMPOSITE FIXTURE UNIT Filed April 10, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

BYM/[M Fb. 19, 1957 s. A. YOUNG COMPOSITE FIXTURE UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10. 1953 INVENTUR. M I- M BY United States Patent COMPOSITE FIXTURE UNIT Stephen A. Young, Delphi, Ind. Application April 10, 1953, Serial No. 347,993

3 Claims. (Cl. 13864) More particularly the invention co'ntemplates the pro- I vision of a unit such as a sink faucet spout which is u-sual-" ly one of the most difficult parts to manufacture properly, and Without abnormal waste. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to that particular unit, but will be equally applicable to other units necessarily available for use.

In general, in the past, referring to sink faucet spouts as exemplary, the same have been made of brass castings which must be machined and subjected to the usual numerous polishing operations, subsequently being. chromium plated. As is well known, such brass cast units have in most cases been satisfactory up to the point of finishing the same, which includes the polishing operations, but during such operations impurities in the metal and other faults arising in the various foundry operations, prevent the final product from being necmsarily perfect, and thus in many cases and in too large a percentage of the same, the scrapping of the same is necessary.

Further, since the demand for a sink faucet spout which is of the cast brass construction is materially greater than for other less expensive types of construction, it is desirable to be able to furnish such spouts without the attendant difliculties arising in their manufacture. Thus, in some cases, spouts have been made of heavy gauge tubing which is susceptible of being much more easily finished, but in the final analysis does not provide a cast brassspout as will be obvious.

Further in some cases, sink faucet spouts have been r provided which are made of sheet material, formed in the usual manner and subsequently involving the necessity of soldering the parts together to provide a water-tight unit.

While the latter type spout, namely the soldered spout is susceptible of being relatively easily finished, at the same time there are numerous objections to such procedure relating to the retention of acid and other materials within the spout which are expelled upon beginning the use of the same, and further the soldering operation must be effected before the spout is plated or finished, as will be understood. Thus, it will be seen that the soldered composite spout has a substantial number of objections involved in its manufacture, the fact being that the soldering operation has generally involved the use of soft solder or other material which does not necessarily give a perfeet water-tight condition without excessive care and consequently increased cost in such fabrication.

In the instant invention, the attributes of simple manufacturing processes and provision of a cast spout unit, in conjunction with the rapid and relatively easy finishing operation provided, thus make available a composite 2 Lspout which has all of the advantages of prior spouts or similar fixtures available as a unit for use.

It is therefore contemplated in this invention, to provide a composite spout or similar fixture which may be made of sheet material by the usual stamping operation, the same being provided in two parts which may be designated as shell members, fixing said members together by mechanical means, after the insertion therein of a rough brass casting which has been sufficiently machined to provide for a connection of the same for inlet and outlet purposes of liquid to be carried by the same.

it is a special object of this invention, to provide a spout of the type referred to which may be manufactured by simple manufacturing methods and in the fabrication of the unit provide initially a hollow shell member having an open side, carrying out the necessary finishing operation upon that member, providing a further member of suitable size and configuration to fit in the open side of the first mentioned shell member, finishing the second mentioned shell member and thereafter inserting a previously machined rough brass casting within the first shell member and subsequently effecting a mechanical interlock between the respective members so as to maintain the same in connected relation.

In conjunction with the thus assembled spout section, spud members may be provided so as to enable the mounting of the spout in its place of use on a faucet or the like, and in addition one of. the spud members is intended to be provided as an outlet member at the opposite end of the spout as will be understood.

It is further contemplated that the assembly of the respective shell members may be effected both by the forming of suitable ears or similar members which may be subsequently bent over in the connecting operation, or further to provide for the fastening together of the shell members by subsequent manipulation of the metal from which they are manufactured, without damaging the finish which is preferably chromium plating or the like. This last phase is of importance when it is considered that heretofore such assembly of a member could not he availed of inasmuch as a water-tight connection was necessary to be provided.

Enlargement upon the various objects of this invention and a description of the same will be readily understood from a consideration of the drawings attached, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a spout unit or fixture unit, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the respective shell members comprising part of the unit in their assembled relation.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken about on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, some additional parts being shown in said section.

Figure 4 is a combined view, showing the shell members separated just prior to assembly, the same being illustrated in section.

Figure 5 is an end view of the lower shell shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a similar end view of the upper shell member .as shown in Figure 4-.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional View, taken about on the line 7'7 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the respective parts in their assembled relation, the view being somewhat fragmentary.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a modified form of spout member or unit, the same being equivalent to a section taken about on the line 7--7 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows, and additionally showing a manner of assembly of the respective shell members.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of a modified form of device showing aview likeFigure 7. 7

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 4,one form of the composite fixture unit of this invention is shown as comprising a sink faucet spout which includes an upper shell member generally designated 1, and a lower shell member generally designated 2. The upper shell member'is in this instance, an elongated member preferably formed of sheet brass'or the like, and includes the upper sides 3 and 4 with depending side members 5 and 6 integral therewith, and formed at an angle with respect thereto. The side membersS and 6 terminate at 7 and 8, as shown in Figure 7. At the end 9, the material is formed so as to substantially close the end; at the lower edge thereof an car 10 is shown as being bent at substantially right angle and inwardly toward the interior of the member 1. The general shape of such an ear is more particularly shown in Figure 2, and is of relatively short extension and width as will be apparent.

At the opposite end of the member 1, at 11, the shell is also formed with a portion which substantially closes the end, same being provided at 12 with a lug or car extending below the edge 13, the lug or car being in this condition a substantial continuation of the portion 11. Additional ears or lugs 14 and 15, (similar to the lug or ear 12 previously described) extend below the edge portions 8 and 7 respectively near the lug or ear 12,

the same being as shown in Figures 4 and 6 so formed as to lie in the plane of said sides substantially.

The foregoing shell member described is thus a substantially hollow member being closed at the respective ends, andof relatively deep construction, having an open side as will be apparent.

Referring to the shell member 2, it will be noted that in this particular shell member the same is of relatively flat construction, including a bottom member 16 of substantially the outline shown in Figure 2, which member 16 "is provided with the upturned relatively short sides 17 and 18. At the ends of the member 2, same are provided with upturned portions 19 and 20, thus completing or providing a continuous narrow side substantially around the periphery of the member 16. At the upturned end portion 20, a suitable notch 21 is provided, similar notches being further provided as indicated at 22 and 23 in the dotted line in Figure 5. In addition, adjacent this end portion of the shell member 2, the same is provided with an opening 24 as seen in Figure 2, for purposes which will be hereinafter set forth. At the other end of the shell member, a similar notch 25 is formed somewhat more clearly shown in Figure 2, and adjacent this notch a round opening 26 is formed in the bottom member 16 of the shell member 2.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be noted that the shell members 1 and 2 have been assembled in a manner which will be subsequently set forth, and within the enclosure thus provided is mounted a liquid carrying member 27, which may preferably be formed as by castings of brass or similar material, which member 27 includes a relatively elongated main portion and a downwardly formed end portion 28' at one end, a correspondingly formed portion 29 being provided at the opposite end.

The portion 28 includes an opening which is suitably threaded as at 30, the end 29 being correspondingly threaded as at 31. It will be noted that the threaded openings 30 and 31 are intended to mate with and be in alignment with the openings 24 and 26 respectively in the bottom or second shell member 2. A spud 32 of substantially cylindrical configuration formed with a reduced section at 33 and a hollow bore 34, is formed with threads 36 upon the reduced portion 33, which threads 36 are adapted to be received in the threads 30. A shoulder 37 is also formed between the reduced portion 33 and the main portion 32 of the spud, so that when the spud is screwed into the threads 30, the shoulder will engage that portion of the bottom member 16 of the shell member 2 which surrounds the opening 24 in said shell member, as will be apparent.

The spud 32 is provided with a peripheral groove 38 in which is seated a lock ring 39, of known construction, and above which a nut 40 including an inwardly turned shoulder 41 is adapted to be mounted so as to be rotatable relative thereto. The nut 40 is interiorly threaded at 42 so as to engage a similarly threaded member on a sink faucet or the like, the same not being illustrated herein, but known construction.

The thread 42 may also be provided with an additional peripheral groove 43 in which an O-ring 44 may be mounted and adapted to operate as a seal against leakage when the spud and its associated parts are in a place as they are used ordinarily.

At the other end of the member 27, and mounted in the threads 31 thereof, is a second spud 45 correspondingiy threaded at 46 to engage with the threads 31, and likewise provided with a passage 47 through which liquid may flow. The spud 45 is further provided with a shoulder 48, the portion below the shoulder being threaded at 49. Thus, when the spud 45 i engaged with the threads 31 of the member 27, the shoulder 48 will be in engagement with the portion of the bottom member 16 surrounding the opening 26 of the shell member 2. The threads 49 are provided in order to mount a ferrule or an aerator, a ferrule 50 being illustrated.

With the foregoing described parts in mind, the method of fabricating a spout will now be described, and includes the preliminary provision of the shell member 1 in its form as shown, which member 1 may be suitably finished with minimum finishing operations being applied thereto, in view of the fact that the same is formed of sheet brass or similar material which obviously reduces the usual polishing operations necessarily associated with plumbing fixtures. This finishing operation may be performed on automatic machinery and thus at a high rate ofv speed and relatively low cost. Subsequently, the member 1 is appropriately plated, preferably chromium plated.

The shell member 2 is also formed preferably substantially as shown, and the usual finishing operations carried out thereon in a manner similar to those necessary in relation to the member 1. The member 2 is also chromium plated preferably, and obviously may also be handled on automatic machinery.

Thereafter the liquid carrying member 27 is placed in the shell member 1 and members 1 and 2 located along the lines shown in Figure 4. The end of the shell member 2 is inserted within the end 9 of the member 1, so that the notch 25 therein is beneath the lug or car 10. Thereafter the end, including the opening 24 is pressed into engagement with the shell member at the end 11, and thereafter the lugs or ears 12, 14 and 15 are bent over so as to lie in the position shown in Figure 2, the lugs thussbeing in the notches 21, 22 and 23 as shown in Figure It will thus be clear that the assembled members 1 and 2 mechanically interlock and will remain in such interlocked condition for all practical purposes.

Subsequently the spud 32, referring to Figure 3 is caused to engage the member 27 by means of the threads 36 and 30, the threads 36 having been preferably coated with litharge or the like to effect a water tight connection and prevent separation of the same in normal use.

The shoulder 37 on spud 32 is caused to firmly engage the outer surface of the shell member 2 around the opening 24, the nut 40 having been previously positioned above the lock ring 39 as shown.

The spud 45 is next positioned at the end 9, by means of the threads 46 and 31 of the spud and member 27 respectively, the shoulder 48 being caused to firmly engage the shell member 2 at the end 19 around the opening 26.

The member 27 is thus fixed in position within the composite shell formed by the members 1 and 2 and a liquid passage extending through and separate from the same is provided.

The ferrule 50 may next be emplaced to present a finished unit and complete the desirable appearance sought to be obtained.

The unit formed and assembled as described, may thereafter be mounted on a sink faucet body or the like by means of the spud 32 and nut 40 in accordance with con Ventional practice and subsequently used as required for swivelling, flow directing operation. The composite unit which is thus provided is not necessary to be soldered or otherwise fastened so as to be leak-proof in view of the fact that a separate liquid carrying member is mounted within the housing provided by the shell members 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9 by way of explanation, a further method of fastening the respective shell members 1 and 2 so as to be interlocked is generally illustrated. The method provided by disclosure of Figures 8 and 9 eliminates the necessity for availing of. the lugs or ears 10, 12, 14 and 15 and any bending operation used therewith. Also, this modified method of assembly of the parts eliminates the necessity for the provision of notches 21, 22, 23 and 25.

Referring therefore to Figure 8, it will be noted that the shell members in this case generally designated 51 and 52 are of substantially the same form and configuration as the shell members 1 and 2, the lugs or cars and notches having been omitted. With the shell members 51 and 52 provided, the liquid carrying member 27 is emplaced within the member 51, the member 51 is thereafter mounted on a suitable support 53 in a manner to prevent a marring or damage of the chromium plated surface thereof. By means of a die 54, formed with a suitable opening 55 therein, and said die 54 being carried in a suitable press or the like, the same is manipulated so as to pass downwardly over the edges 56 and 57 of the shell member 51, and bend the same slightly inwardly as shown in Figure 8. In view of the fact that the chromium surface is hard and provides a certain lubricating effect, the surface is not damaged by this procedure but the edges 56 and 57 are sufliciently turned inwardly so as to prevent displacement of the shell member 52 from its position in the shell member 51, and the edges 58 and 59 are in sutficient frictional contact with the interior of the shell member 51 at the lower edge or opening in said member, to maintain the shell member 52 in position. Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to provide a lug or extension 60 integral with the water carrying member 27, although this may be eliminated generally. The lug or member 60 is adapted to engage the interior of the shell member 51 so as to prevent movement of the member 27 with respect to the housing provided by the shells 51 and 52.

Thereafter the spuds 32 and 45 may be mounted as was true in reference to the discussion of Figure 3, and thus a unitary composite fixture unit is provided.

The Figure 9 disclosure is taken at a difierent point along the fixture unit, the edges 56 and 57 being bent or slightly deformed as shown to assist in the mechanical interlock of the respective members 51 and 52.

I claim:

1. A composite sink faucet spout unit of the class described, comprising a liquid carrying member having angularly formed inlet and outlet portions, a first shell member having end Wall portions, said member forming a partial enclosure for said carrying member, a second shell member completing said enclosure, elements on at least one of said shell members engaging the other of said members for maintaining the same in connected relation, and a spud engaging said liquid carrying memher at one of the portions described and at least one of said shell member to maintain said liquid carrying member in position with respect to such shell member.

2. A composite sink faucet spout unit of the class described, comprising a liquid carrying member having angularly formed inlet and outlet portions, a first shell member having end wall portions, said member forming a partial enclosure for said carrying member, a second shell member completing said enclosure, elements on at least one of said shell members engaging the other of said members for maintaining the same in connected relation, a spud engaging said liquid carrying member at one of the portions described and at least one of said shell members and a second spud engaging said liquid carrying member and one of said shell members at the other portion mentioned, said spud members thereby maintaining the shell and carrying member in their normal relative positions.

3. A composite sink faucet spout unit of the class described, comprising a liquid carrying member having angularly formed inlet and outlet portions, a first shell member having end wall portions, said member forming a partial enclosure for said carrying member, a second shell member completing said enclosure, elements on at least one of said shell members engaging the other of said members for maintaining the same in connected relation, said liquid carrying member being provided with inlet and outlet openings at its opposite ends, and spud members engaging said openings and at least one of said shell members for positioning the said carrying member and shell members with respect to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 208,791 Burgess Oct. 8, 1878 213,558 Field et al Mar. 25, 1879 326,242 Prosser Sept. 15, 1885 926,423 Kelly June 29, 1909 1,080,562 Kells Dec. 9, 1913 1,116,394 Doehring Nov. 10, 1914 1,754,217 August Apr. 15, 1930 2,003,580 Craighead June 4, 1935 2,499,496 Grimes et al. Mar. 7, 1950 2,585,997 Bruewer Feb. 19, 19 52 

